Planning Commission: Residential Development, Parking Variances and Late-Night Hours

A field trip to the Avalon Hotel, the destruction of a historic landmark to make way for condominiums and a Hazard Mitigation Plan were a few of the items on Thursday's Planning Commission Meeting agenda.

• The commission approved a request to extend the last-call seating hour at the Avalon Hotel restaurant to 11 p.m. on Sunday nights. The commission will also allow alcohol to be served there nightly until 1 a.m. However, the commission did not approve a request to eliminate the Avalon's free valet parking in favor of a competitive $9 rate. A main factor in this ruling is the hotel's proximity to a residential neighborhood and the frequency with which Avalon diners jaywalk on Olympic Boulevard and Canon Drive. The idea is that complimentary valet reduces car and foot traffic in the area. Resident Shawn Jones spoke in opposition to the extended alcohol hours and elimination of free parking, stating that late-night diners disrupt the neighborhood.
• The commission approved an extended-hours permit for the Thompson Hotel's restaurant and lounge, which will now close at 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Thompson Hotel is up for review in six months, and the commission decided that it would conduct noise studies for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. If there are no noise complaints from the public during the next six months, the commission will consider modifying the resolution to extend hours for Thursday nights.
• A resident addressed the commission about the need for bicycle lanes throughout the city, using Santa Monica and neighborhoods of Los Angeles as examples. The commission said bicycle lanes are currently being explored by City Council, which will be asking for input from local cyclists soon.
• The commission discussed the city's Hazard Mitigation Plan, which prevents against six possible hazards: earthquake, terrorism, fire, landslide, flood and windstorm. Emergency Management Representative Viviana Franco presented several mitigation strategies to the commission. Franco said that the city's Hazard Mitigation Plan is slated for presented to City Council in August 2010.
• Applicant Murray Fisher returned before the commission to present his newly redesigned package for 9936 Durant Dr., a residential historic property that Fisher wants to tear down so that 14 condominiums can be built on the proeprty—with two units designated for low-rent housing. Durant Drive resident Steve Katz spoke in opposition to the plan, stating the street's need for preservation of its "old-world, 1930s charm." The commission was torn on whether or not the demolition of the property would be a significant impact to the city, but ruled that if the two low-rent units are one-bedroom and deeded to the city, the commission could make overriding considerations and approve the project. The public hearing on 9936 Durant Dr. will continue on Sept. 9, 2010.
• Applicant Ken Stockton and his team of parking consultants and engineers also returned before the commission to present their revised floor plan for the parking structure of the future medical office building at 121 N. San Vicente Blvd. The commission's main concerns were the percentage of tandem parking spots proposed (26 percent of all parking), the unnecessary space designated for loading trucks and the tight distance between car stalls and the driving ramp, which could stop the flow of traffic and lead to fender benders. The various issues remain unresolved at this time and discussion will continue at a later date.